Shrub A woody plant of relatively low height, having several stems arising from the base and lacking a single trunk; a bush.

Plant Size

Very large

Tree

Over 25m

Shrub

Over 4m

Perennial/ground cover

Over 1m

Bulb

Over 1.2m

Succulent

1.5m to 2m

Position

Canopy Shade Canopy shade is found below closely grown trees where some light filters through. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.

Deep / Full Shade Shade below spreading evergreen trees where sun's rays are unable to penetrate the canopy at any time. For light sensitive plants

Dry Shade Shady areas where soil has poor water retention or are dependent on rain for their moisture needs.

Light or Dappled Shade Found below trees with sparse, open foliage. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.

Partial Shade The area is in shade for part of the day and in full sun for part of the day.

Sun The area is in full sun for all or most of the day, all year round.

General Information

Drought Tolerance: High The plant is well adapted to arid conditions; it can survive long periods of drought and high temperatures without extra water.

Evergreen Plants that have leaves all year round.

Frost: Hardy The plant can withstand freezing temperatures or frost without artificial protection.

Water Wise Plant species originating from low rainfall regions that require less water to survive and thrive than other plant species.

Wind Tolerant Plants able to withstand the effect of strong winds.

Specific Information

Schutia myrtina is a large, often aggressive, scrambling shrub which uses its thorns to clamber through and up surrounding vegetation. Occasionally it forms a small tree. Makes a fast growing, thorny, impenetrable hedge. This shrub takes well to pruning.

Ad Break

Flowers

Description

small star-shaped flowers in clusters - not really significant

Season

Spring to Summer Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.

Colour

greenish white

Growth Rate

Very Fast Specifying growth rate can be very misleading as there is considerable variation of growth rate depending on type and species of plant, available water, supplementary feeding, mulching and general care, as well as the plants suitability and adaptability to the garden environment.

Plant Uses

Attracts bees, butterflies or other insects This plant attracts insects which can be food for birds or other creatures in your garden.

Attracts Birds This plant will attract birds.

Barrier Plant A very thorny shrub, tree or scrambler that can be used to create an impenetrable barrier.

Border A strip of ground, at the edge of a driveway or path in which ornamental plants or shrubs are planted.

Boundary A plant useful for planting around the edges of the property to form a green or colourful backdrop, an impenetrable hedge, to hide walls or create privacy.

Filler Either a fast growing tree or shrub used temporarily to fill in an area while the permanent plants grow to a desired size, or a plant used to fill gaps in borders or beds.

Hedge Suitable trees or shrubs planted relatively close together so that the branches intertwine to create a barrier. This can be formal – the plants are regularly trimmed to produce a neat shape, or informal – the plants are left to themselves to create a natural hedgerow.

Wild Garden An indigenous garden planted for the benefit of wildlife and birds. Provides food, water, a variety of mini-biomes and no poisonous chemicals are used.

Distribution and Habitat

along the coast from Cape Town in the Western Cape, through the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, Into Mpumalanga and the Limpopo Province, and further north through tropical Africa, India and Madagascar, in coastal or scrub forest and margins of evergreen forest

Planting Suggestions

This vigorous shrub is at home in a variety of soils and environments. For very fast growth, plant in a large hole (about half a cubic meter) with the addition of compost, bone-meal and fertiliser. Mulch well and water until established.

Comments

I've been researching plants that are fast growing, thorny and evergreen as a natural barrier to my property. I came across this one and it looks promising, however, I've been told it's a noxious weed. Is that true?

The common name for Scutia myrtina is 'Cat thorn' and is indigenous to South Africa. It is definitely not on the invasive plant's list for South Africa.

Another plant named Macfadyena unguis-cati, or 'Cat's claw creeper', is often confused with the Cat thorn. It is an invasive plant that comes from South America and it is listed as a Category one invader plant. This is the strictest category on the Declared Weeds & Alien Invader Plants list, meaning that:

'These plants may not occur on any land or inland water surface other than in a biological control reserve. Except for the purposes of establishing a biological control reserve, one may not plant, maintain, multiply or propagate such plants, import or sell or acquire propagating material of such plants except with the written exception of the executive officer.' You can find this information at http://www.plantzafrica.com/miscell/aliens1.htm.

To see what it looks like, Google 'Cat's claw creeper' and look at the images. Although it is very pretty, you will see how invasive it is.

Scutia myrtina makes a very dense, fast growing hedge and the thorns make it impossible to penetrate.

I cannot assess this as growth rate depends on water, soil fertility and the climate in which you live. As I do not have this information, all I can say is that in the hedgerows around my garden, in poor soil and dry conditions with no attention whatsoever, I have seen shoots grow from .5 to 2 meters in a season. In good conditions the plant is known to grow very fast, which means 1 - 1.5 meters a year.

Discuss this plant

Share knowledge, ask a question or give an experience.

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.

Homepage

Subject

Comment *

Notify me when new comments are posted

Favourite Plant

Include Images With Your Comment

Add a new file

Files must be less than 2 MB.Allowed file types: png gif jpg jpeg.Images must be larger than 100x100 pixels.

Due to the collapse of our borehole, we have permanently closed the nursery. However, the website lives on.
You can look forward to:
A new name, new look, mobile device friendly layout and additional features in the coming months.